Advent_1_The_gospel_of_Matthew_is_named_after_its_traditional_author.docx

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Promises Are Woven Through History

The identity of Jesus as the Son of David is not just a genealogical fact, but a profound declaration that God’s promises are trustworthy and intricately fulfilled. Matthew’s Gospel highlights the number 14 in Jesus’ genealogy, echoing the numerical value of David’s name in Hebrew, to show that Jesus is the long-awaited heir to David’s throne. This careful weaving of history and prophecy reminds us that God is always at work, even when His plans are not immediately clear to us.

Sometimes, it’s only in hindsight that we see how God has been moving in our lives and in the world. The story of Jesus’ lineage encourages us to trust that God’s faithfulness is not random or accidental, but intentional and purposeful. Even when we cannot see the full picture, we can rest in the assurance that God’s promises are being fulfilled in ways that may only become clear with time.

“Thus says the Lord: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices forever.” (Jeremiah 33:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: Where in your life do you struggle to see God’s faithfulness? Take a moment to look back and identify one way God has kept a promise to you, even if it was only clear in hindsight.

Day 2: God Works Through the Overlooked and Ordinary

God’s kingdom often emerges in the most unexpected places and through people the world might overlook. Jesus was born in obscurity, raised in a small town, and lived much of his life away from the centers of power. His ministry was marked by humility, suffering, and a willingness to embrace those on the margins. This pattern reveals a God who delights in working through weakness and humility rather than through worldly strength or status.

This challenges us to pay attention to the quiet, hidden ways God is at work in our own lives and communities. Instead of seeking God only in the spectacular or the obvious, we are invited to look for His presence in the ordinary moments and in people who might otherwise be ignored. God’s activity is often found in the places and people we least expect.

“He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.” (1 Samuel 2:8, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life or community might be overlooked or undervalued? How can you intentionally seek to notice and honor God’s work in and through them today?

Day 3: Living in the Tension of the “Already and Not Yet”

The kingdom of God is both present and still to come—a reality that shapes the Christian life with hope and perseverance. Jesus inaugurated God’s reign through his life, death, and resurrection, but the fullness of that kingdom is still on the horizon. This “already and not yet” tension means we celebrate the glimpses of God’s reign we see now, while longing for the day when all things will be made new.

Living in this tension calls for both gratitude and patience. We are invited to rejoice in the ways God’s kingdom is breaking into our world—through acts of justice, healing, and love—while also holding onto hope for the ultimate restoration that is yet to come. This perspective helps us persevere through disappointment and suffering, knowing that God’s story is not yet finished.

“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” (Hebrews 13:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel the tension between God’s promises and your current reality? How can you practice both gratitude and hope in that area today?

Day 4: Joining in the Work of the Kingdom

Recognizing Jesus as King is not a passive belief, but a call to active participation in his kingdom. Every act of healing, forgiveness, and love is a sign of God’s reign breaking into our world. We are invited to join in this ongoing work, even when the results are incomplete or unseen, trusting that our efforts matter in God’s unfolding story.

This means that our daily choices—how we treat others, how we respond to injustice, how we extend grace—are all opportunities to manifest the kingdom of God. We are not called to wait idly for Jesus’ return, but to be agents of his love and justice here and now, knowing that even small acts can have eternal significance.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can participate in God’s kingdom work today—through an act of kindness, forgiveness, or service—even if no one else notices?

Day 5: Hope That Transcends Suffering and Injustice

The story of Jesus is ultimately a story of hope that outlasts suffering, injustice, and darkness. The promise of his return as King of Kings assures us that evil will not have the final word. Our faithfulness in the present is anchored in the certainty that Jesus will one day set all things right, and his kingdom will have no end.

This hope empowers us to persevere through hardship and to resist despair, knowing that God’s justice and love will prevail. Even when the world feels broken and our efforts seem small, we can trust that the true King is coming, and that our labor in the Lord is never in vain.

“For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.” (Psalm 37:28-29, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you see suffering or injustice in your life or the world that feels overwhelming? How can the hope of Jesus’ ultimate victory shape your prayers and actions today?

Sermon Summary

In this sermon, we explored the question, "Who is Jesus?" by examining the Gospel of Matthew’s presentation of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of David, and the rightful King of Israel. Drawing a parallel to Tolkien’s Aragorn, whose true identity is revealed through prophecy and lineage, we saw how Matthew uses genealogy, prophecy, and symbolism to establish Jesus’ royal credentials. The sermon highlighted the significance of Jesus’ humble beginnings, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and the paradox of God’s kingdom being both present and yet to be fully realized. We were challenged to recognize Jesus as King, to participate in the work of his kingdom now, and to live in hope for the day when his reign will be fully revealed.

Key Takeaways

1. The identity of Jesus as the Son of David is not just a historical detail but a profound theological statement. Matthew’s emphasis on the number 14 in the genealogy is a deliberate echo of David’s name, underscoring that Jesus is the long-promised heir to David’s throne. This reminds us that God’s promises are intricately woven into history, often in ways that are only fully understood in hindsight.
2. God’s kingdom often emerges in unexpected ways and through unlikely people. Jesus’ birth in obscurity, his upbringing in Nazareth, and his suffering under unjust rulers all point to a God who works through weakness and humility rather than worldly power. This challenges us to look for God’s activity not in the obvious or the grand, but in the overlooked and the ordinary.
3. The “already and not yet” nature of God’s kingdom is a central tension of the Christian life. While Jesus inaugurated the kingdom through his life and ministry, its fullness is still to come. Living in this tension means embracing both hope and perseverance—celebrating the glimpses of God’s reign we see now, while longing for the day when all things will be made new.
4. Recognizing Jesus as King calls us to active participation in his kingdom. Every act of healing, forgiveness, and love is a manifestation of his reign breaking into our world. Our calling is not to passively await his return, but to join in the ongoing work of the kingdom, even when results are partial or unseen.
5. The story of Jesus is ultimately a story of hope that transcends present suffering and injustice. The promise of his return as King of Kings assures us that evil and darkness will not have the final word. Our faithfulness in the present is rooted in the certainty that the true King will one day set all things right, and his kingdom will have no end.

Bible Study Guide

**Small Group Bible Study Guide: Who Is Jesus? (Matthew’s Portrait of the King)**

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### Bible Reading

- **Matthew 1:1-17** (The genealogy of Jesus, Son of David)
- **Isaiah 11:1-2** (“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse…”)
- **Revelation 19:11-16** (The return of the King of Kings)

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### Observation Questions

In Matthew 1:1-17, what patterns or repetitions do you notice in the genealogy? Why do you think Matthew highlights the number 14?
According to Isaiah 11:1-2, what kind of person is the promised “Branch” from Jesse’s line? What qualities are mentioned?
In Revelation 19:11-16, how is Jesus described when he returns as King? What images or titles stand out to you?
From the sermon, what are some of the unexpected or humble circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth and early life?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does Matthew go to such lengths to connect Jesus to David? What does this say about God’s promises and how they are fulfilled?
The sermon mentioned that God’s kingdom often comes in unexpected ways and through unlikely people. Why might God choose to work this way instead of through obvious power or influence?
The idea of the kingdom being “already and not yet” can be confusing. What does it mean to live in the tension between seeing glimpses of God’s reign now and waiting for its fullness?
How does recognizing Jesus as King change the way a person might view their daily life or the world around them?

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### Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to look for God’s activity in the overlooked and ordinary. Can you think of a recent situation where you might have missed God at work because it didn’t look “important” or “spiritual”? How could you be more attentive to God’s presence in the everyday?
Matthew’s genealogy shows that God weaves his promises through history, sometimes in ways we only understand later. Is there a part of your own story that you struggle to see God’s hand in? How might this perspective help you trust him with your past or present?
Jesus’ kingdom is marked by humility and service, not worldly power. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to seek recognition or control, rather than serving quietly? What would it look like to follow Jesus’ example this week?
The “already and not yet” nature of God’s kingdom means we see both brokenness and hope. Where do you see evidence of God’s kingdom breaking in around you? Where do you feel the “not yet”—the pain or injustice that still needs healing?
The sermon said that every act of healing, forgiveness, and love is a sign of Jesus’ reign. Is there a specific way you can participate in the work of God’s kingdom this week—maybe by forgiving someone, helping a neighbor, or sharing hope with someone who is struggling?
How does the promise of Jesus’ return as King of Kings give you hope in the face of suffering or injustice? Is there a situation in your life or in the world where you need to hold onto that hope right now?
The story of Jesus invites us to live with both perseverance and expectation. What is one practical way you can keep your hope alive and active as you wait for God to make all things new?

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Sermon Quotes

Matthew’s genealogy isn’t just a list of names—it’s a declaration: DAVID, DAVID, DAVID! Matthew wants us to see that Jesus is the promised Son of David, the true King Israel had been waiting for.

God chose to enter the world not as a powerful ruler, but as a baby born in a stable, to a humble family, in a forgotten town. The King of Kings arrived in the most unexpected way.

The royal line of David looked like a tree cut down to a stump, but the roots ran deep. Out of apparent hopelessness, God brought forth the true King, fulfilling promises made centuries before.

The birth of Jesus marks the advent of the Kingdom of Heaven. The long wait is over; God’s Kingdom has come! The King is here, and everything changes because of it.

It seemed impossible that a child from humble beginnings—powerless, a refugee, growing up in obscurity—could be the long-awaited King. Yet God delights in using the weak and overlooked to accomplish His greatest purposes.

When we acknowledge Jesus as the one true King, the Kingdom of God becomes real in our lives. We are invited to spread hope, pray for healing, and sow seeds of love in a broken world.

God’s Kingdom is both “here” and “not yet.” We see glimpses of His reign, but also the brokenness of our world. Our calling is to keep doing the work of the Kingdom while looking forward to the return of the King.

The story of Jesus reminds us that true greatness often comes in unexpected forms. The world may overlook the humble, but God sees a King where others see only a carpenter’s son.

The visit of the Magi, bringing gifts fit for a king, was a foretaste of a day when all nations will recognize and honor the true King—Jesus, the Messiah.

Even when darkness seems to prevail, we live in hope, knowing that one day the King will return, defeat evil once and for all, and reign over the entire world.

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